Heading to Canada in April

[modo22]

So I am heading to Calgary on business in late April and was wondering if anyone knew a good place to smoke. It will be nice to be back in a city (even though it is Canada ). I have done some light googleing and have found a few shops downtown, but HOLY CRAP look at the prices! Whether ISOM or NC, everything is around $20!! With some nicer ISOMs over $40??? WTF, is that what I should expect and bring my own smokes? Is it because of the exchange rate?

Anyone with some experience there?
Thanks,
Ben

 

[Shamrocker]

So I am heading to Calgary on business in late April and was wondering if anyone knew a good place to smoke. It will be nice to be back in a city (even though it is Canada ). I have done some light googleing and have found a few shops downtown, but HOLY CRAP look at the prices! Whether ISOM or NC, everything is around $20!! With some nicer ISOMs over $40??? WTF, is that what I should expect and bring my own smokes? Is it because of the exchange rate?

Anyone with some experience there?
Thanks,
Ben

Yes indeed Ben, unfortunately those prices are pretty much par with what you can expect up here (federal and provincial taxes kill us on tobacco). I can't speak to what Calgary is like for selection, but thevalkryie is a Calgary resident and it probably wouldn't hurt to get in touch with him for good B&M's, selection etc.

 

[thechenman]

These prices are definitely what you can expect in Canada, and it has nothing really to do with the exchange rate. It is primarily the high taxes on tobacco in Canada. Also...good luck finding a place to smoke indoors, or even outdoors for that matter. That is based on my experience in Toronto and Montreal. You can't even smoke in tabacconist shops. At least the ones I stepped into. There may be some hotels with heated patios, but I'm not sure.

 

[modo22]

These prices are definitely what you can expect in Canada, and it has nothing really to do with the exchange rate. It is primarily the high taxes on tobacco in Canada. Also...good luck finding a place to smoke indoors, or even outdoors for that matter. That is based on my experience in Toronto and Montreal. You can't even smoke in tabacconist shops. At least the ones I stepped into. There may be some hotels with heated patios, but I'm not sure.

Well that sucks! Can't find a descent price, but I can't even bring my own and smoke in a lounge?????? Worst yet if I spend $35 on a BBF I can not even smoke it there! HA

 

[ulster]

Yep - those are Canadian prices; and the reason why I bring so much across the border to my brother in Vancouver. A very reputable shop in Vancouver has single RASS's for $28 each and better yet a Opus X Robusto for $49. Its not price gouging on the Opus......but tax.

Throughout Canada you will encounter sweeping smoking restrictions. Cigars and Cigarettes must be covered from view from anyone. At small mall shops you must pick from book at the counter which cigars you want and the store staff enter the humidor with covered windows to retrieve your selection. Save the children!

I like Calgary, its a good city with a lively night life but having a smoke anywhere indoors will be nearly impossible. Bring your own and enjoy the city. Canadian law allows you to bring 50 cigars into the country for "personal use" :laugh:

Alberta's Tobacco Laws

Edit for grammer - wrote this after a wee medical procedure combined with Pyrat Rum and pain meds!

 

[modo22]

I believe across Canada are sweeping smoking restrictions. Cigars and Cigarettes must be covered from view from anyone. Small mall shops you must pick from book what you want and the store staff enter the humidor with covered windows to retrieve your selection. Save the children!

Alberta's Tobacco Laws

That is alittle over the top! Save the children in deed!

 

[NorcalMark]

Bring your own if you can

 

[thevalkrye]

Ya I wouldn't come here planning on buying any cigars! Bring your own or let me know when you will be here and I can set you up with a few cigars for your stay. As far as places to smoke them...I haven't found any yet.

Your best bet maybe smoking in a hotel room or on the balcony or something if that is where you are staying. There are also some really nice parks you could sit at and have a cigar if the weather is cooperating.

PM if you are interested on when you will be here, at the very least I can tell you about a few good spots for beer.

 

[ulster]

Your best bet ........ There are also some really nice parks you could sit at and have a cigar if the weather is cooperating.

Calgary is a great city - granted its been nearly 10 years since I have been there last.

 

[modo22]

I tried replying on tuesday and got a virus...sneaking on while at work for a moment.....PMs coming once I get my computer back up to full

 

[TonyG]

Minor correction about tobacco displays. In Ontario at least tobacconists can display cigars in their humidors as long as the tobacco sales of the business represents more than 50 percent of sales. Not sure about other provinces. At the very least, one can view and examine Cuban cigars before buying them. There is a great walk in humidor on Yonge Street in Toronto at King. And out where I live in Oshawa Victory Cigars has a reasonable price point on their stock.

 

[modo22]

Back in the States. I have to say I had a great time in Calgary. The service was wonderful, the downtown area was cleaner then I expected....and the women! Wow. All of our waitresses were incredible! Good job Canada.

For the first time being out of the States it was pretty cool to wake up in the morning and see that it was 9 degrees outside....and then realized it was in Celsius. The weather was perfect, it was 70(F) and sunny every day.

No cigars for me, but I did hit the bars downtown and I have to say the beers were great! The best thing was that each kind of beer had its own glass! WOW! IN the states, it is a single glass no matter what beer, but each different brand I tried was in its own style of glass. My favorite beer I found was Rickards Red. The I was disappointed to find it is made by Molson, but still a great beer.

Over all, I wish I had another day to explore some more, fun times.

 

[Shamrocker]

Back in the States. I have to say I had a great time in Calgary. The service was wonderful, the downtown area was cleaner then I expected....and the women! Wow. All of our waitresses were incredible! Good job Canada.

For the first time being out of the States it was pretty cool to wake up in the morning and see that it was 9 degrees outside....and then realized it was in Celsius. The weather was perfect, it was 70(F) and sunny every day.

No cigars for me, but I did hit the bars downtown and I have to say the beers were great! The best thing was that each kind of beer had its own glass! WOW! IN the states, it is a single glass no matter what beer, but each different brand I tried was in its own style of glass. My favorite beer I found was Rickards Red. The I was disappointed to find it is made by Molson, but still a great beer.

Over all, I wish I had another day to explore some more, fun times.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip!

Quite a few places serve craft beers or imported ones in specific glasses. Some say it enhances the experience for flavour and scent. I lean more towards "if it holds the beer during the time between tap and mouth that's all that matters". Perhaps I just haven't been shown the light. If you make it out to Winnipeg I'll have to show you some of the pubs and fine hole-in-the-wall restaurants that are here.